Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre

Support We Offer

Support We Offer

Introduction

An important function of the Records Centre is to provide technical support and assistance to the recording community in the Kent. To achieve this it has been proposed to put the technical resources of the Records Centre at the disposal of the recording groups in the county.

The support we offer can come in may different guises, but having the technology and the expertise here means we can help most groups fulfill their aims and objectives. Local Recording Groups can ask for information from the KMBRC and we will provide it free of charge if it is to inform that groups' activities, conservation or habitat management, providing there is no commercial gain for that group or individual.

All of the support the Records Centre offers is designed to improve record collection, accuracy and display. All we as in return is that you supply your records to the BRC once the project is complete.

The Kent and Medway Biological Records Centre also has a grant scheme for for local conservation organisations and recording groups.

Displays

One purpose for many local recording groups is to raise awareness about their species group. To do this many groups attend local and regional events in order to talk to people who are interested in wildlife and recording it in Kent. Frequently, recording groups produce

display stands

with maps and information on their species.

The Records Centre has an

A0 Printer

with which we can print large sized maps, plans, images etc for groups' displays. We can also

print and laminate A3 and smaller sized documents

. Please get in touch with the Records Centre if your recording group would like to produce some display material.

Bear in mind you'll need to let us know well in advance so we can get copies done in plenty of time for an event.

Equipment

Here at the Records Centre we've worked hard over the course of our set-up phase to build an up to date collection of recording equipment which can be used by local recording groups, to help improve the accuracy of their records.

This equipment primarily comprises of

15 handheld GPS units

which are available for loan to recording groups. You'll need to supply 4 AA batteries for each unit and a deposit which will be refunded upon receipt of the units. These will allow you to generate up to 10 figure grid references for your records and/or find locations others have given to you.

We also have

20 Longworth (humane) mammal traps

which we will loan out to experienced recorders in order to gain records of small mammals for a certain site.

We have

2 small mammal suspension weighing scale

also.

We have a

digital projector

which can be provided to local groups for their talks. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

We have a

bat detector (bat box duet)

which can be loaned out to recorders who would like to record bats. This will be loaned upon receipt of a deposit which will be refunded when the unit is returned.

We own an

optical microscope

which can be used for the identification of bones and seeds in owl pellets, as well as the identification of animal pellets and odonata exuviae. The microscope can be used at the Records Centre or loaned out upon receipt of a deposit. Please book in advance to make sure it is available.

If you are organising a recording day we can loan

clipboards

and provide recording forms if necessary.

Training

We hope to have at the Records Centre the technology and expertise that aren't always achiievable in a small recording group. We will happily provide training in the following areas in order to help recorders and recording groups achieve their aims.

GPS

If you'd like to learn how to use this equipment in order to generate more accurate locations for your records we will provide introductory training. This can be one on one or if you wish we can provide training to small groups (up to 15), this will include the theory behind GPS technology as well as a short practical session. We also provide GPS training during our Study Days (link).

Recorder 2002 Software

We will provide one on one tuition using Recorder, and we will (if requested) provide group training where facilities are available. Please call us for more information. All of our volunteers are trained to use Recorder 2002, so if you'd like to learn why not consider volunteering (link).

Other computer software

We have in the past provided training in other computer software for people who have little or no experience of using computers. This training has been primarily Excel and PowerPoint, but please ask if you are struggling using a programme to display your records.

We will gladly provide general advice on Recording and the methods you can use to generate records of your own.

Technology

We can use powerful software like

GIS (Geographic Information System)

to provide recording groups and individuals with bespoke maps for recording projects, atlases or just to inform future recording effort, conservation or management. Please get in touch if you'd like more information about the services we offer. We also have publishing software.
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